Events

Santa will arrive at 10:30 a.m. Cookies and cocoa will be served while they last. Bring a camera to take a photo with Santa and Mrs. Claus. Trout are catch and release unless child has a trout permit. Fishing for 15 and younger only.

Registration required for each person attending (ages 10+; ages 10–16 must be accompanied by a participating adult)
Put away the smartphones, tablets and GPS receivers to learn to navigate through the woods the old school way…and have some real fun! This program will present the basics of topographic maps, a baseplate compass and how to use both tools to travel from point to point. Bring a water bottle and dress for trekking off trail.

Raccoons are the most popular furbearer trapped in Missouri, with good reason too. They are abundant and relatively easy to catch. Join our team of experienced trappers to learn about raccoon habits and habitats, trapping equipment and techniques, fur handling and more.

Walk-in (ages 3-8; all welcome) Join volunteer naturalists for a fantastic journey through forests, streams and other magical places as they read select books. Children will participate in a hands-on nature activity

No registration required (all ages)
Winter may be here but it’s never too soon to plan for spring! Come join us in learning about how to create a forest in your own back yard. Explore how and why trees are highly desired resources that will put a smile on your face and keep money in your pocket.

Walk-in (all ages) Have you ever found an animal skull or bone while hiking in the woods? There is a lot to learn about an animal by examining its skull or beak. Learn how to tell what an animals eats, where they live and are they predator or prey by examining some basic features of its skull.

Walk-in (all ages) Have you ever found an animal skull or bone while hiking in the woods? There is a lot to learn about an animal by examining its skull or beak. Learn how to tell what an animals eats, where they live and are they predator or prey by examining some basic features of its skull.

Learn to clean, store and prepare your winter trout.

We'll clean some trout, then we'll also prepare them for everyone to sample using some favorite and delicious methods.

Dress appropriately for the weather because part of this program will be outside.

Start the new year off right by catching some winter trout!

Start the morning off with a trout fishing lesson in the class room at the Kansas City Regional Conservation Office where we'll learn how to catch and clean trout. Then we'll head down to Honker Pond to try our luck catching some hungry trout.

Dress for the weather but if you get cold while you are fishing you can take a break to warm up by the fire and enjoy some hot chocolate.

Only children can fish at Honker Pond but parents and family are welcome to attend.

Missouri Department of Conservation will provide all of the equipment, bait, fishing coaches, hot chocolate and a warm fire.

Children do not need a trout permit to fish at this event as long as they plan to release their fish, if they would like to keep the trout that they catch they will need a trout permit.

All children must be accompanied by an adult.

If bad weather is forcast the day of this event it may be postponed. You will be contacted if any changes are necessary.

Discover what’s for dinner at Burr Oak Woods as the captive amphibians, fish and turtles enjoy their feast every Wednesday and Saturday.

No registration required (all ages)
How did badgers get their fearless reputation? What is it they do underground anyway? Discover the answers to these questions and more interesting facts about one of Missouri’s elusive burrowers.